The Other Fellow's Shoes

This week as the boys have been on Spring Break I have immensely enjoyed a Staycation! I have sorted through things--though not nearly enough. Today when working in the Utility Room pile, I came across this poem. I have made copies for our boys, but thought it went along with a recent blog on Perspective.

The Other Fellow's Shoes

Pray, find no fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears,
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back,
Might cause you to sumble, too.
Don't sneer at the man who is down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the selfsame way at the selfsame time,
Might cause you to stagger, too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins,
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yes, doubly sure
That you have not sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps, if the tempter's voice
Should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astry,
"Twould cause you to falter, too.
--Selected